1. The Presidency of Richard Nixon
By the late 1960s, citizens had seen enough turmoil in U.S. foreign & domestic affairs:
The economic boom of the 1950s & 1960s was starting to come to an end
American prestige in the world was damaged by the failure in Vietnam
Anti-war protests, “hippie” culture, & liberal gov’t programs led many citizens to believe that America was headed for moral decay & economic collapse

2. The Election of Richard Nixon
Nixon’s victory in 1968 was due to the turnout of a “silent majority” who wanted a more conservative gov’t
In 1968, Americans elected conservative Republican Richard Nixon

3. Richard Nixon & Domestic Policy
As a conservative, Nixon believed in a limited role for the national gov’t
He tried to reduce or eliminate many Great Society programs
He gave states more control over how money for welfare programs was spent

4. Richard Nixon & Domestic Policy
By the late 1960s, the South was becoming more conservative due to new military bases & corporate headquarters, the relocation of retirees, & frustration by whites over civil rights
Nixon seized the opportunity to attract Southerners to the Republican Party by opposing new civil rights policies & cutting government spending

5. Election Results by County: 1972 (McGovern vs. Nixon)
Election Results by County: 2008 (Obama vs. McCain)
Election Results by County: 1968 (Humphrey vs. Nixon vs. Wallace)
Election Results by County: 1960 (Kennedy vs. Nixon)
Election Results by County: 1948 (Truman vs. Dewey vs. S. Thurman)
Election Results by County: 1940 (F. Roosevelt vs. Wilkie)
The evolution of the “Sunbelt” from liberal to conservative ( )

6. The Conservative South Today Current Population Trends: 1970-2030

7. Richard Nixon & Foreign Policy
President Nixon successfully changed U.S. foreign policy
Instead of using containment to fight Communism & increase Cold War tensions, Nixon created a policy of détente (to ease tensions) with America’s Cold War enemies

8. The Presidency of Richard Nixon
President Nixon successfully changed U.S. foreign policy
President Nixon & aide Henry Kissinger used a strategy called triangular diplomacy to improve America’s role in the world

9. Richard Nixon & Foreign Policy
Nixon’s foreign policy included “peace with honor” in Vietnam
Nixon discussed plans for “Vietnamization” but secretly bombed Cambodia & Laos in 1970
In 1973, Nixon negotiated a cease fire, withdrew U.S. troops, & ended the Vietnam War

10. Richard Nixon & Foreign Policy
Nixon’s foreign policy included better relations with China
In 1972, Nixon became the 1st president to visit & recognize China
Nixon’s visit to China was also meant to exploit a growing rift between USSR & China; Now the USSR had to cooperate with the U.S.
Nixon’s visit allowed for the possibility of U.S. trade with China

11. Richard Nixon & Foreign Policy
Nixon’s détente policy was aimed at easing Cold War tensions with the USSR
In 1972, Nixon became the 1st president to visit Moscow; His visit led to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) to limit ICBMs
By visiting China, Nixon pressured Soviet leader Brezhnev to negotiate with the United States

12. The Presidency of Richard Nixon
Nixon was a popular president by the end of his 1st term
His domestic policies reduced gov’t spending & revitalized middle- class, conservative, & Southern voters
His foreign policies led to the end of an unpopular war in Vietnam & eased tensions with America’s two biggest Cold War rivals
In 1972, Nixon won one of the biggest landslide victories in presidential history
But after Nixon’s re-election in 1972, the Watergate scandal broke; President Nixon resigned in 1974 rather than face impeachment

13. Closure Activity: Reviewing U.S. Containment Policy
Review the Cold War containment policies of the United States from 1945 to 1973
List the Cold War events of each president
Harry Truman ( )
Dwight Eisenhower ( )
John F Kennedy ( )
Lyndon Johnson ( )
Richard Nixon ( )
Rank these presidents from most effective (#1) “Cold Warrior” to least effective (#5)

14. The Cold War: 1948-1975 The Cold War under Truman: 1945-1953
Containment Policy:
Truman Doctrine
Marshall Plan
NATO

15. The Cold War:
The Cold War under Eisenhower:

16. The Cold War under Kennedy: 1961-1963

17. The Cold War under Johnson: 1963-1969
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Escalation (Troops in 1965)
Tet Offensive

18. The Cold War under Nixon: 1969-1974

19. Conservative domestic policy:
Lowered gov’t spending
Reduced social programs
Active foreign policy:
Ended the war in Vietnam
“Opened” China
Détente with the USSR
Quick Review: Why was Nixon overwhelmingly re-elected as president in 1972? Why was Nixon so popular?

20. Nixon was insecure & paranoid about power:
What do you see in this image?
Nixon was insecure & paranoid about power:
He kept an “enemies list” of people he suspected were out to undermine his policies
“Tricky Dick” used his position as president to spy on, infiltrate, & sabotage his “enemies”
These tactics & fears were the reasons for the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency
In what ways might Nixon have been “his own worst enemy”?

21. Why is Watergate such an important event in U.S. history?
How did Watergate change the way Americans perceive their political leaders?
Why is Watergate such an important event in U.S. history?
Should Nixon’s presidency be judged more in his foreign policy successes or the Watergate scandal? Why?
Do you think Nixon’s actions were different from most politicians?

22. Effects of Watergate The Watergate scandal changed America:
The scandal eroded public trust in their political leaders; Added to the distrust created by the Vietnam War
Revealed the importance of the media in serving as a “watchdog” of the gov’t
Congress assumed more leadership
Uncertainty whether prosecutors would charge Nixon with crimes